Oahu - Best way to spend 7 days and 6 nights
 

Traveling to Oahu end of July, beginning of August. Looking for the best way to spend our time - either just the three of us (my husband, toddler and myself) or with two other families.

Here is what we have so far:
1) Polynesian Adventure Tours ( Pearl Harbor and South Oahu tours)
2) Chief's Luau
3) snorkeling

Is there anything else we should not miss?
Thanks!

I would skip your no. 1. You can go on your own, and be flexible regarding your toddler's needs (food, sleep, play, etc.).

I'd personally want to visit the north shore beaches and the southeast beaches (Kailua/Lanikai), and take a drive across the island on the H3 (spectacular).

I always enjoy having lunch at one of the shrimp trucks on the north shore. Tasty!! (messy... I love the garlic shrimp) I visit Oahu every year for a week or so, usually late August to mid-September timeframe. I always rent a car for at least a couple of days so that I can do the island drive all the way around, not just on the H3, which is gorgeous.

There is a children's museum/discovery Center that you might enjoy, and the Bishop museum is fun for the whole family. Bishop Museum has a big animated dinosaur exhibit going on through the summer and the regular exhibits are pretty interesting, even for little ones.
http://www.bishopmuseum.org/media/20...l#.UYxaSIJSs-8

Hanauma Bay is great fun for snorkeling. You can rent equipment there. Go early so the water is clear and parking is available. It is closed on Tuesday, but open 6 am to 6 pm the rest of the week.

Unless you really hate driving, skip the big bus tour. Rent a car and drive around the island. See huge sea turtles at Laniakea beach on the north shore. Check out the windmill farm and eat at a shrimp truck on the same trip. The dole plantation makes a nice stop to get pineapple whips and check out their hokey displays.

I agree with car/van rental instead of a tour, unless your group thinks going on the organized tour is better or easier for some reason.

Everyone has different interests.

Mostly I just like to go to the beach, the parks, lay around the hotel pool myself. Doris Duke Shangi La estate tour and the Iolani Palace are two high-lights for me. Finding the Farmer's Markets is fun.

But honestly I never schedule too much on my Hawaii vacations.

Shangri La tour is great Only provided for via the Academy of Art Honolulu - advance tickets needed but don't think you can take a child. ..a drive to the North Shore for a day is great or picnic and beaching at Kailua beach. Friday at noon at the Iolani palace has wonderful band and singers that play and sing old hawaiian. hula dancer usually there as well. You can easily take a bus to it. walking Chinatown or other walks, you can do them on your own or take a tour. Hiking up Diamond Head if you are able. The view is stunning. Also would eliminate your #1 not worth the time or money IMO... Toddler might enjoy the Honolulu Zoo. If you are going to rent a car for a day trip, do so before you get over there and as far in advance as possible. We did our car rental several months in advance and got a good price. When we went to get the car there was a couple who just walked into the rental agency and they paid big bucks for a day rental. Aloha...